Ski star says he experienced "one of the most emotional days of my life," defends reporter after breaking down during interview

Bode Miller of the United States reacts during the Alpine skiing men's super-G on Day 9 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Rosa Khutor Alpine Center on February 16, 2014 in Sochi, Russia.

Updated at 6:52 AM CDT on Monday, Feb 17, 2014

After winning the super-G bronze and breaking his own record as the most decorated American Alpine skier in Olympic history, Bode Miller broke down in a post-race interview that has gone viral.

The 36-year-old Olympian, who had also just become his sport's oldest medal winner, told reporters that his late brother was on his mind and later said that he had experienced "one of the most emotional days of my life."

Miller's brother Chelone, known as "Chilly," died in April at the age of 29 from an apparent seizure.

"With my brother passing away, I really wanted to come back here and race the way he sends it," Miller said. "So this was a little different."

Sparkles and Spandex: Figure Skating Fashion

He added that it was a tough year and that he just wanted make himself "proud."

As Miller wiped away tears, NBC reporter Christin Cooper asked him to explain what it was he was doing at the start of the race when he could be seen looking up at the sky. "It just looks like you're talking to somebody. What's going on there?" Cooper asked, drawing some criticism for pushing the subject after Miller was already crying.

Overcome with emotion, he dropped his head. The reporter touched his arm, whispered "I'm sorry," and backed away, giving him space to walk away and isolate himself near a section of orange fencing where he crouched down until his wife arrived.

Figure Skating Photos: The Kiss-and-Cry Zone

Later, in an interview with E! Miller explained that his brother was a competitive snowboarder aiming for his own spot at in the Olympics. "He was coming into his own...it was a tough hit. For myself too. When you connect that emotion and doing it on honor of them, you deal with consequences. It was such a raw emotion, I collapsed."

In a December interview with The Associated Press, Miller said that he and his brother were very close. "There are parts of his life, or his attitude, that I just naturally integrate maybe more into my life, which affects the way I do everything — ski, training and everything else," he said.

Miller's emotional victory also drew a flood of support from fans on Twitter. Some offered kind words while others lashed out at NBC's Cooper for pushing the subject of his brother's death. Several TV critics also questioned NBC's coverage. Miller responded to both. "Thanks for all the support, today was one of the most emotional days of my life," he first tweeted. "I miss my brother."

Then, he took to Cooper's defense, asking fans, again via Twitter, to be "gentle" with her. "I appreciate everyone sticking up for me," he wrote. "...it was crazy emotional and not all her fault. #heatofthemoment"